Saving Old Seagulls

I am naming this outboard Wilbur, after the Ancient Mariner's best friend (the one he shot with his crossbow, the Albatross, Wilbur was the Albatross in The Rescuers by the way). I have ascertained a few things.

1 ) The motor is not seized.
2 ) It has not got blocked cooling system.
3 ) It dribbles fuel/oil out when you press the tickle on the carb.
4 ) The HT lead is good (continuity checked from brass nipple in plug to fibres in end of ht lead).
5 ) The plug looks good.
6 ) The points are set at 20 thou (well 0.5mm actually).
7 ) The prop goes round when you pull on the rope.
8 ) The rope is strong enough to withstand aggressive pulling!
9 ) So is the saw horse that is supporting Wilbur!

But can I get a spark? Can I hell!!!
Anybody any ideas?

We need the full engine number so we know which model & which ignition your talking about.

Serial number WSL42A4
Longshaft Century

Many thanks!

Update!

Wilbur has taken exception to being called an Albatross, it is a Seagull and he has let me know by pecking me in both ears.

I went out after a violent rainstorm just now, took the choke flap out, wrapped the rope round the pulley and pulled, the damn thing nearly did a vertical take off, motor was racing. Could not slow it down on throttle, so put the choke flap in to stop it. Cor they don't alf go!

Anybody any Amal 2 jet stripping and rebuilding instructions? Now I know there is a carb and throttle problem!

It sounds like your throttle is not fully closing. The throttle cable has an adjuster on the top, if you slacken it off until the throttle slide fully closes you should be ok. Once adjusted correctly you should be able to stop the engine by simply closing the throttle lever.

Oyster 49 wrote:It sounds like your throttle is not fully closing. The throttle cable has an adjuster on the top, if you slacken it off until the throttle slide fully closes you should be ok. Once adjusted correctly you should be able to stop the engine by simply closing the throttle lever.

Tried that, still races away like it is being challenged to a race by a Johnson 4hp! Think the throttle cable is wrong, or the carb is not set up properly.

Would the throttle body and cable off a Villiers carbed 40 minus fit?

Come to that would the Villiers carb off of the 40 minus fit in a straight swap?

I know a Villiers carb was fitted to some Centuries!

No, a villiers carb wont fit on a silver century. It sounds to me like your throttle slide is not fully closing. Either the cable is incorrect, or the slide is possibly sticking in the carb. Further investigation required!

Oyster 49 wrote:No, a villiers carb wont fit on a silver century. It sounds to me like your throttle slide is not fully closing. Either the cable is incorrect, or the slide is possibly sticking in the carb. Further investigation required!

I think it is that throttle cable, screwed right in and the spring is still under considerable tension, new cable it is then.

Check both ends & the cable to ensure all has the full range of movement.

Charles uk wrote:Check both ends & the cable to ensure all has the full range of movement.

And how much movement is that? How far should the wedge at the end in the carburettor be able to travel?

The throttle slide needs to fully close, if it is not fully closing then either it is sticking in the bore or the cable has not got enough slack. If the slide is not freely moving then you need to strip the carb down and find out why.

John (SOS) has new cables and will be able to send you one very quickly.

http://www.saving-old-seagulls.co.uk/bu ... 0cable.jpg

Not wanting to invest that much money I got a bike cable inner and botched a temporary cable, measured the old one, 23 inches, inch and a half short me thinks. Made new cable, can now decelerate to half speed. Going to speak nicely to wife....

Right serial number is WSL42A4
Says 10 to 1 on ye olde fuel tank cap.
I do not know mixture in the tank.
Prop spring removed so it can run it's little heart out without giving Bertie a bath.
Starts, when warm, with choke half open, will not run unless choke is half open, any ideas?